Our family celebrated Christmas yesterday. It was a delightful time of brunching, opening gifts, decorating gingerbread chalets and contemplating the awe and obedience of the shepherds in Luke 2:8-20. We chose The Message version, thinking it would be easier for our grands ages 4- 10.
The Nativity by Mikhail Vasilevich Nesterov
After hearing their great readings (young James added “this is God’s Word” as a finale), we passed around a copy of the photo you are seeing and shared how it helped us visualize the story even better. Some wondered what the sheep were thinking of such goings on, others commented on the emotions depicted, how holy and sacred it seemed. One grand surmised how great it was that since Jesus came for everyone, God showed this by first sending news about Him to poor and disrespected shepherds. Wow! Talk about “out of the mouths of babes.”
I am praying for your Christmas gathering, dear friends and partners.
Here’s a Christmas Benediction shared with us in a recent Christmas card:
May you be filled with the WONDER of Mary,
The OBEDIENCE of Joseph,
The JOY of the angels,
The EAGERNESS of the shepherds,
The DETERMINATION of the Magi,
And the PEACE of the Christ Child.
For our friends in Myanmar, Christmas outreaches continue through December 28, so please continue to pray for these gatherings.
O Come let us adore Him,
Nancy
